Who Can Apply for Canadian Citizenship?
If you were born outside of Canada and have at least one biological or legal parent who is a citizen of Canada, you might be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. This process involves submitting an application for a Canadian citizenship certificate, which serves as proof of your Canadian citizenship. Notably, a Canadian citizenship certificate is one of only two documents accepted by Passport Canada to confirm your Canadian citizenship.
Canadian citizenship by descent is typically limited to the first generation born outside of Canada or to individuals with at least one Canadian parent. However, the application for a Canadian citizenship certificate is open to you at any point in your life, regardless of whether your Canadian parent is currently living or deceased.
Who Needs Proof of Citizenship?
While any Canadian citizen can obtain a Canadian citizenship certificate, this document is particularly important for individuals born outside of Canada to at least one Canadian citizen parent and for naturalized Canadians.
Naturalized Canadians are those who applied for Canadian citizenship, passed the required citizenship test, and took the citizenship oath. While they need a Canadian citizenship certificate, naturalized Canadians usually receive this certificate upon completing the naturalization process.
Obtaining proof of citizenship grants you access to numerous benefits associated with being a Canadian citizen. These benefits include voting in federal elections, obtaining a Social Insurance Number (SIN), accessing universal healthcare, obtaining a driver’s license, and enjoying the privileges of holding one of the world’s most powerful passports.
How to Apply for a Canadian Citizenship Certificate
To apply for a Canadian citizenship certificate, you should download the application package from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) official website. The application fee for this process is $75 CAD.
IRCC requires you to provide evidence that at least one of your legal or biological parents at the time of your birth was a Canadian citizen. Accepted evidence includes:
- Your parent’s birth certificate.
- Your parent’s Canadian citizenship card.
- Your parent’s citizenship certificate.
You can submit your application online through the IRCC website. Once your application reaches IRCC, you will receive an “acknowledgment of receipt,” and your application will undergo a review and processing. You can check the status of your application’s processing online, as processing times may vary depending on individual circumstances. Additionally, IRCC might request additional information or documents during the application process.
